Drakes Bay Oyster Company Gets Backing From Virginia-Based Interest Group

Mark Prado
The Marin Independent Journal, Novato, Calif.

The Virginia-based Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund has agreed to administer a litigation fund to be used to help finance the Drakes Bay Oyster Company's lawsuit against the United States National Park Service.

The oyster operation was ordered to close by the government after its long-term lease expired in November. Drakes Bay is fighting the issue in court. Drakes Bay will solicit support from its customers, supporters, restaurants and others from the Bay Area and Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties with the defense fund managing the money.

The money in the fund will be used to finance the company's public interest litigation against the park service. Contributions to the fund are not tax deductible as charitable contributions. ___